Nyosi Conservation Program
CCFA endorses and supports the conservation programme at Nyosi Wildlife Reserve in the biodiversity-rich Eastern Cape of South Africa. This is an ambitious project to restore this urban pocket of biodiversity with community partnerships being central to the approach. The project approach is one of integrated community-benefit conservation, where we focus on care of the land and ecosystems, social and community initiatives, and wildlife and biodiversity.
Project Overview
About Nyosi Wildlife Reserve
Nyosi Wildlife Reserve is a pristine nature reserve located at the heart of what conservation icon Dr Ian Player identified as the “new wilderness frontier”. Being the first big game wildlife reserve situated within two major urban centres, we have a duty to protect this land, whilst using it as a showcase for eco-tourism and community-benefit conservation.
Nyosi Wildlife Reserve is protected as a nature reserve through a Protected Area Management Agreement with the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, under the National Environmental Management Act over a 30-year term.
Project Overview
About Nyosi Wildlife Reserve
Nyosi Wildlife Reserve is a pristine nature reserve located at the heart of what conservation icon Dr Ian Player identified as the “new wilderness frontier”.
Nyosi Wildlife Reserve is protected as a nature reserve through a Protected Area Management Agreement with the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, under the National Environmental Management Act over a 30-year term.
Being the first big game wildlife reserve situated within two major urban centres, we have a duty to protect this land, whilst using it as a showcase for eco-tourism and community-benefit conservation.
Nyosi Conservation Program: Projects
Restoring the Biodiversity
- Elephants, cheetahs, buffalo, rhino and antelope are all being reintroduced as part of the mission to restore the biodiversity and the land.
- The land has undergone extensive and ongoing restoration over the last decade to eradicate alien invasive vegetation, introduce native species and address challenges like soil erosion, all as part of caring for the land.
- Over the last decade, certain species like giraffe, springbok and eland have already been reintroduced.
Cheetah rewilding
- The arrival of cheetahs at Nyosi heralds the start of our cheetah rewilding project in collaboration with The Metapopulation Initiative, which coordinates the cheetah metapopulation project for Africa.
- Captive cheetahs arrive to spend a few weeks in a purpose-built enclosure before being released on the reserve.
- This provides them with the rewilding opportunity where they will learn to hunt for themselves.
- Once they are consistently making successful kills, as monitored through our research programme, they will be relocated to their final home on larger predetermined wildlife reserves where they can integrate with existing populations of cheetah or pioneer new populations.
- For every cheetah rewilded, a community member is empowered, whether it be through an internship opportunity, skills programme or employment opportunity.
Research Centre
- CCFA are looking to raise funds to bring the vision of a multifaceted research centre at Nyosi to life.
- Plans include a veterinary clinic, research laboratory, interactive educational museum, an auditorium and a wildlife rehabilitation facility.
- The centre will form the hub of the Nyosi Conservation Programme, including educational outreach initiatives.
Community Academy
- Our vision includes an off-grid eco-campus to be the heart of our community partnerships programme.
- With facilities for meetings, classes and hands-on learning opportunities, this centre will help catalyse our social impact.
Rhino Conservation
- Contributing to the future of these iconic animals is a conservation priority.
- Two male white rhinos will be initially introduced with a female joining at a later stage to mark the beginning of a rhino breeding programme.
- Part of our vision includes the introduction of black rhinos down the line.
Legacy Projects
Water for Wildlife
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Cheetah Rewilding Project
Cheetah Rewilding ProjectAn ambitious project to rewild as many captive cheetahs as possible while empowering community members, therefore creating a direct link of mutual benefit between endangered wildlife and the community.Project Overview Project...
Greening Young Futures
Greening Young FuturesWe recognize the need for education, empowerment and opportunity for our youth who hold tomorrow’s future in their hands. Project Overview Project location: Nyosi Wildlife Reserve – Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape, South Africa Project...
Greening the Community
Greening the CommunityGreening the Community is a long-term empowerment and environmental sustainability initiative for the local community of Kwa Nobuhle in Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape to drive environmental awareness practices at grass roots levels. It is...
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